British Rail Class 91

British Rail Class 91
LNER Class 91 at London King's Cross
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
DesignerGEC Transportation Projects[1]
BuilderBREL Crewe Works
Build date1988–1991
Total produced31
RebuilderAdtranz
Rebuild date2000–2003
Number rebuilt31
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo′Bo′
 • CommonwealthBo-Bo
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
BogiesBREL BP52[1]
Wheel diameter970 mm (3 ft 2 in)[2]
Minimum curve80.000 m (262 ft 5.6 in)[1]
Wheelbase10.500 m (34 ft 5.4 in)[3] ​
 • Bogie3.350 m (10 ft 11.9 in)[3]
Length:
​
 • Over body19.400 m (63 ft 7.8 in)[2]
Width2.740 m (8 ft 11.9 in)[1]
Height3.757 m (12 ft 3.9 in)[1]
Loco weight
Electric system/s25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Current pickup(s)
Traction motors4 × GEC G426AZ DC[1]
Gear ratio1.741:1[1]
MU workingTDM[4]: 8 
Train heating
Loco brake
Train brakesPneumatic
Safety systems
CouplersDrophead Buckeye
Performance figures
Maximum speed
  • Design:
  • 140 mph (225 km/h)[1]
  • Service:
  • 125 mph (201 km/h)[1]
  • No. 2 cab leading:
  • 110 mph (177 km/h)
  • As light locomotive:
  • 75 mph (121 km/h)[note 2]
Power output:
​
 • Starting4.70 MW (6,300 hp) at rails[3][1]
 • Continuous4.54 MW (6,090 hp) at rails[1][5]
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting190 kN (43,000 lbf)[2]
 • Continuous
  • 107 kN (24,000 lbf) at 95 mph (153 km/h)[2]
Brakeforce
Career
Operators
Numbers
  • As built:
  • 91001–91031
  • Post 2000–2003 refit:
  • 91101–91122, 91124–91132
Official nameElectra
Axle load classRoute availability 7
Current owner
Disposition
  • In service: 12
  • Stored: 6
  • Scrapped: 12
  • Preserved: 1

The British Rail Class 91 is a high-speed electric locomotive, which produces power of 4,830 kW (6,480 hp); it was ordered as a component of the East Coast Main Line modernisation and electrification programme of the late 1980s. The Class 91s were given the auxiliary name of InterCity 225 to indicate their envisaged top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph); they were also referred to as Electras by British Rail during their development and throughout the electrification of the East Coast Main Line.

The locomotive body shells are of all-steel construction. Unusually, the motors are body mounted and drive bogie-mounted gearboxes via cardan shafts; this reduces the unsprung mass and hence track wear at high speeds. The locomotive also features an underslung transformer, therefore the body is relatively empty compared to contemporary electric locomotives. Much of the engineering specification for the locomotive was derived from the research and operational experience of the APT-P.[2][5]

The other end of the InterCity 225 train set is formed of a Mark 4 Driving Van Trailer, built with a similar body shell to the Class 91 locomotives but with only one driving cab.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Fawcett, M. (April 2008). Vehicle Diagram Book - Class 91 Locomotive (1 ed.). London: HSBC Rail UK. EV/DB0910. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Kaller, Roger; Allenbach, Jean-Marc (1995). Traction électrique (PDF) (in French). Lausanne: Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes. p. 8.2.91. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Railway Industry Association (1988). "Elektrische Lokomotive Klasse 91 - Technische Daten / Class 91 Electric Locomotive - Technical Information" (JPEG). Grossbritanniens Neue Eisenbahnen / Britain's New Railways (in German and English). London: British Railways Board. Archived from the original on 19 November 2022.
  4. ^ a b System Data for Mechanical and Electrical Coupling of Rail Vehicles in support of GM/RT2190 (PDF). London: Rail Safety and Standards Board. 22 June 2011. SD001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  5. ^ a b Donnison, P.J.; West, G.R. (September 1989). "The design and development of the Class 91 locomotive". International Conference on Main Line Railway Electrification 1989: 294–298.
  6. ^ Clinnick, Richard (10 October 2019). "Europhoenix earmarks '91s' for European freight use". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference RI242 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


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